Hello! Today with us we have Sara Cayson (reader) and Alex Raine (author)! *Applause*

Sara Cayson: Favorite book genre?

Alex Raine: I used to say PNR, but lately I’ve been reading a LOT of Meghan Quinn, so whatever genre she writes. ^_^

Sara Cayson: Subjects that you like in books?

Alex Raine: You mean like tropes? If so, I like friends-lovers, close proximity, fake relationships, fated mates, and enemies-lovers.

Sara Cayson: Do you prefer more smut or plot?

Alex Raine: Oh plot plot plot. If a book has no sex even, I’m okay with that. I think people rely too much on the smut these days, imo. Is it good sometimes? Yes. Does it get old? Also yes.

Sara Cayson: Do you enjoy world building in your stories?

Alex Raine: I do, to an extent. I never know when to cut off. Like, when is enough for the readers?

Sara Cayson: I don’t know if this counts but. Favorite color?

Alex Raine: I don’t mind it. It’s a  tealish color like this –>

Sara Cayson: Do you have an area where you write your books?

Alex Raine: My dining room table, in a big comfy office chair because I’m short and the table is the perfect height.

Sara Cayson: How do you come up with your characters?

Alex Raine: All of my characters are parts of mine and my spouses personalities. And Kiki, that’s my cousin all the way. Where I’m more Willow/Cosa/Kimble/Lucien, Ryder is Riftyn/Piper/Mila/Zane. I also have some author friends in there too.

Sara Cayson: After this book series is done do you plan on writing more?

Alex Raine: Oof, that’s a hard one. I wasn’t even planning on this one lol. But… Never say never.

Sara Cayson: Do you have a favorite author?

Alex Raine: I have a few, but I aspire to be like Meghan Quinn or Penelope Bloom one day.

Sara Cayson: What inspired you to become an author?

Alex Raine: I wouldn’t say inspired. I was DARED! Can you believe that? My author friend E.A. said, “You should do this, write a book. I double dog dare you!” I don’t back down from a challenge, so here we are.

Sara Cayson: How do you get out of a writer’s block?

Alex Raine: Haha. Tears. Whining. Throwing things. My friend, Bonnie, sometimes threatens me.

Sara Cayson: Do you have any advice for new authors?

Alex Raine: Don’t give up, stay humble, and have fun with it. Forget marketing while you write, forget all that. Just write what makes YOU happy.

Sara Cayson: When you came up with the MMC did you have an idea of what his personality would be?

Alex Raine: Absolutely! I knew he would be just like Ryder. I even asked her all the time, if I said or did this what would you say or do? So, a lot of what he says and does is all her.

Sara Cayson: What is one thing you want readers to know about you?

Alex Raine: That I appreciate them more than they’ll ever know. If just one person messages me and says, “Your book made me laugh.” Then I’ve done everything I set out to do.

Sara Cayson: Would you ever like your book to become a movie?

Alex Raine: Now THAT’S a question! It would be cool, yeah. But I know it’s not good enough for that. But ahhh to dream, right?!

Sara Cayson: When you came up with your FMCs did you get ideas from other characters or from other people like friends or family?

Alex Raine: Definitely from real people. As I said above, they’re all loosely based on myself and Ryder with a few others sprinkled throughout. But the easiest way I formed them was to think about convos or things that I would enjoy, or that I would find hilarious. I’m kind of a big dork that way.

Thank you, Sara, for these wonderful questions.

XoXo Alex

Thank you for both for participating in Support An Author event!!!

Hello! Today with us we have Rachal Davis (reader) and Fallon Raynes (author)! *Applause*

Rachal Davis: Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to become a writer?

Fallon Raynes: The stories and characters are always in my head. They show me scenes and I write them down. I don’t think it was until I saw Author Marie Force and read that she had self-published after being rejected by traditional publishers that I ever thought I would publish a story. After I read that The Applicant came to mind. I started working on that story about 19 years ago (maybe 20). It’s taken me a long time to flesh that story out. I would work on it and then life would happen, then I would work on it some more. After talking to my editor after she read through it (about a year or so ago) and hearing her input I realized what I had been missing. I have edits ready to go on that I just need to weave them in. 😊

Rachal Davis: What genre(s) do you typically write in, and what draws you to those genres?

Fallon Raynes: Thriller, mystery, and horror. I think I’m drawn to them because that’s how the stories are presented to me in my head. I go where the story takes me. I will not rule out writing other genres. 😊

Rachal Davis: Do you have any rituals or routines that you follow when writing?

Fallon Raynes: No. I write when the characters are willing to talk to me. When I need to get a story written and done for a submission, I will work on it when I take breaks from the day job or at night. If I force a story the words won’t come to me.

Rachal Davis: Are any of your characters based on real people or inspired by events in your own life?

Fallon Raynes: Sort of. There are things I take from my life or have seen and my brain will take me on a journey with those events to outlandish places. 😊 The characters have a life of their own. Something might grab my attention but I always think “What if _____” and insert anything for what might happen.

Rachal Davis: What inspired the plot of your latest book?

Fallon Raynes: A random thought. Most of my stories happen to me while doing anything; watching tv, listening to a song, working, talking to someone. I will take those and make notes, or record a paragraph on my voice app on my phone. Or if I’m at work, I’ll start an email to myself and let the movie take shape in my mind. I see things in pictures/movies, and I have to stop to record it. I wish I could plug directly into my brain and download the scene in my head because I cannot type or write fast enough. 😊 

Rachal Davis: Do you outline your stories before writing, or do you prefer to let the story unfold as you write?

Fallon Raynes: Outlining is the HARDEST thing in the world for me to do. I dreaded every single time my English teacher or professor asked me to outline as part of the homework; especially before we could move on to writing. “I don’t know where the story is going how can I outline it?” That was what I always asked them. It was frustrating. My stories come to me in pieces. Sometimes I have a beginning or an end, sometimes the middle, sometimes the beginning and the end and no middle. It all seems to come together once I start working on it. 😊

Rachal Davis: What do you hope readers will take away from your work?

Fallon Raynes: I hope a sense of feeling. I realize not every story I write will touch the reader because they may not be at that place in their life, or have never gone through what my characters are experiencing and that’s okay. I know I don’t like every story that and author I love writes. It’s just the nature of the world. It’s okay. If we were all the same, we’d be robots! 😊

Rachal Davis: What role does research play in your writing process, particularly for books set in specific time periods or locations?

Fallon Raynes: Research is a humungous Rabbit Hole!! Ha-ha! I know all of us authors face this. We can research the heck out of things but that usually ends up with us getting no words on the page and more stories to write! I will say this. I have spent over an hour researching something just to put ONE sentence on the page! One! LOL It’s crazy! But, if you don’t get it right readers notice. And, I don’t know about you, but when I watch a romance movie and I see a mechanic pouring water on his head to cool off I want to SCREAM! I’m married to a retired mechanic. They are already dripping wet with sweat after standing over a hot motor in a hot shop. They do NOT add to it by pouring water on their head. Research is KEY! 😊

Rachal Davis: What advice would you give to authors who are considering self-publishing?

Fallon Raynes: Write the story!! Don’t worry about how it looks (grammar, storyline, etc) just put it on the page. Then, read it. Make notes as you read so you can fix things, and maybe if a character isn’t fully functional you can fix them. But write the story. Many authors have told me you cannot edit a blank page. And, get an editor. One who is not a proofreader but edits all things. They are worth their weight! 😊

Rachal Davis: How do you market and promote your books?

Fallon Raynes: Poorly. 🤣 I am not very good at it, but I sign up for social media book events/release parties/takeovers any chance I get. I have used ads when I run sales, and I’m lucky when others share their reviews after they’ve read them. I have tried a few things but ultimately it’s the reader that loved my story(ies) that makes someone else want to read it. Many people buy a book when it’s on sale and then it sits in the TBR forever. I’m also guilty of that, but, I know I supported that author and bought their book. I hope someday to get better at marketing. It’s on my list of things to do. 😊

Rachal Davis: Do you have a favorite character or book that you’ve written? If so, why?

Fallon Raynes: Someone asked me that recently. It’s like asking me to choose a favorite child. 😊 I do not have a favorite story or character. I’m not sure if I will, but Dangerous Ledges will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first published book. 😊 Characters will fluctuate for me because they are fun to write, but no favorites yet.

Rachal Davis: How do you stay motivated and overcome challenges while writing?

Fallon Raynes: I try to exercise when I get in a funk. It’s hard to write when I’m overwhelmed, which is why I’m at a standstill right now. Sometimes a writing challenge helps get the brain juices flowing, or an anthology to submit to. Writing a short story for that can pick me back up. 😊

Rachal Davis: What do you enjoy most about being a writer?

Fallon Raynes: The ability to see the story play out in my mind like a movie. A close second is connecting with readers during takeovers which I enjoy doing! 😊

Rachal Davis: How do you decide on the titles for your books?

Fallon Raynes: I have book titles pop in my head often. I write them down. They may come with a story too and I’ll jot that down with the title. In the case of Dangerous Ledges I had a title for it, then it changed but then it didn’t fit. The one-day SMACK! Dangerous Ledges title slapped me upside the head. I loved the play on Ledge’s name and, well, you read the story. 😉

Rachal Davis: How do you unwind and recharge when you’re not writing?

Fallon Raynes: Lately, my brain is too full of all things, so I play a game on my phone while we watch TV at night. I also love to be outside when the weather is nice. Especially on a sunny day, which in Michigan seems to very few days a week the past few years. I love to read, but again, like writing, I cannot do it when I’m overwhelmed. I haven’t read much lately. Putting jigsaw puzzles together is relaxing for me too. 😊

Rachal Davis: How do you handle writer burnout or creative blocks?

Fallon Raynes: Probably not very well. I know things will come to me when it’s time. I usually have a bunch of story ideas that pop into my head and I make notes on all of those. But, when I finish a story and it’s ready to publish it’s like sending your kid off to college. You miss the characters and playing in their world. For me I need time in between to refocus. Working a full time job is also time filling so I take longer than some authors do to write. There is a 1 million words in a year challenge that authors do, and that’s on my list to try when I get closer to retirement. Which also makes me mention here for any reader reading this, Beware the authors that release a LOT of novels in one year on a constant basis. They’re probably pirating others’ stories; changing the title/character names/locations but the story and words are the same. That happens frequently so never feel you can’t reach out to an author if you ever feel you stumbled onto a stolen book.

Rachal Davis: How do you approach the pacing of your stories, and what techniques do you use to keep readers engaged?

Fallon Raynes: I have no clue. 🤣 The story unfolds in my mind and I write it down on the page. There’s a meme out there on social media that is something close to this “The characters do stupid things and I write up the incident report.” The pace is all on them. I have nothing to do with it. But, I will take credit for keeping as much “fluff” as I can out of the story. I think that helps readers feel compelled to keep reading. I will skim a book if an author gets too wordy in sections of the book just to reach a certain word count. “Fluff.” My books are not fluffy. 😁

Thank you so much! That was fun. 💕

Thank you for both for participating in Support An Author event!!!

Hello! Today with us we have Amber Kestner (reader) and Riverr Ravenzwood (author)! *Applause*

Amber Kestner: What is your name and genre you write?

Riverr Ravenzwood: Riverr Ravenzwood and I write fantasy. 

Amber Kestner: What is the first book you published?

Riverr Ravenzwood: Tug of Fate, book one of the When Stars Align Series. 

Amber Kestner: Where did the inspiration for Ziva Bail and the Cosmic Connection come from?

Riverr Ravenzwood: I guess from the deep recesses of my mind? Haha. I mean, it’s almost every author’s dream, isnt it?

Amber Kestner: What is the biggest book you have written?

Riverr Ravenzwood: The Kazi Chronicles Finale, Fall of Creation. It’s a whopping 180k words long. 

Amber Kestner: Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so why?

Riverr Ravenzwood: It’s really hard to say. But if I really have to pick, then I think Kali (The Kazi Chronicles) comes close to that. All of my characters are my favorite. But Kali has surprised me. When I started her journey, I had no idea it would turn out to be this way. And I can’t say more without giving away spoilers. But, yeah. 

Amber Kestner: Girl power exist in Ziva Bail and the Cosmic Connection, would that be able to exist if it were in the opposite gender? If so why or why not?

Riverr Ravenzwood: Well, boy power does exist in my books. Friendships and family play a critical role in my stories, as you’d have seen. I think the power that Ziva and April share shines primarily because we are aware of their history (a bit) and we are privy to how much they’ve overcome. So we can, in our minds, see their trajectory and rejoice silently with them. You know what I mean? But yes, boy power does exist. I call it “tribe power”. You find your tribe and give with it. It’s ride or die. It’s a theme in all of my books. 

Amber Kestner: Ada is a badass character in Circle Of Time Kazi Chronicles: Book , what is the difference between Ada and Ziva?

Riverr Ravenzwood: Well, to start with, both are badass females and both are strong characters. Both have their own transformation trajectories but the main difference is in where the power in them comes from. Ada’s comes from her family. Her desire to do whatever it takes to protect her family is the fuel. The close knit bond she shares with her father and ‘grandpa’, and with her animals, is like a warm hug wrapped in a blanket. Ziva’s power comes from her desire to never be weak again. Her desire to protect her best friend, April, and herself, is what makes her stronger every time she’s thrown in a loop. Both Ada and Ziva, however, will cross pits of fire for their loved ones, quite literally. 

Amber Kestner: Do you have any rituals or routines that you follow when writing?

Riverr Ravenzwood: Not really. But a good fragrance in my home, and music, is something I find enjoyable every time I write. 

Amber Kestner: What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

Riverr Ravenzwood: I hope they are filled with wonder. I hope they enjoy the worlds I create and are transported to it, even momentarily. I hope to infuse everyone’s life with joy and magic and if my books can help them see the magic in their own lives, and relationships, then I’ll be more than grateful to the Universe for giving me this opportunity.  

Amber Kestner: What do you enjoy most about being a writer?

Riverr Ravenzwood: Ahhh… what’s not to enjoy? You love a world? write it. You want someone? Make them fall at your feet in your stories. You wonder what a magical cape will be like? Explore it. You hate someone? Make them suffer in your books. I mean – the possibilities are endless!!! It’s really like giving yourself another world to live in. Haha!

Amber Kestner: What do you think is the biggest misconception about being a writer?

Riverr Ravenzwood: That it’s easy and that it’s a time pass. I assure you, dear sirs and madam, that it ain’t. It’s more serious than you trying to figure out where the next sale is going to come from or you trying to impress your boss to get the next project. Trust us. It isn’t for the faint hearted. 

Amber Kestner: Do you read in the genre that you write in?

Riverr Ravenzwood: Yes. Always. Fantasy is my jam!

Amber Kestner: How do you usually find the inspiration for your characters and their names?

Riverr Ravenzwood: They just come to me. I’m a pantser. Through and through. Almost every time, I don’t know how the cliffhanger will turn out in the next book. Word! Also, in all my books, dots have connected and stars have aligned across books that I hadn’t even thought of. I only know the started point when I start a story. After that, its just the pen and the paper and me. 🙂 

Amber Kestner: What are some no-fail tips you have for writing a good book?

Riverr Ravenzwood: Treat yourself as your first reader. If your story doesn’t leave you gasping or laughing or angry, then you need more work. You being happy with what you create is really the first step. It can be the last too, should you wish. Also, enjoy. Even though it’s a serious craft, there’s no point in doing this if you don’t enjoy the journey. 

Amber Kestner: What have been the best and worst parts about becoming a successful writer almost overnight?

Riverr Ravenzwood: My readers. They are the bestest part of the whole thing. The love everyone has given to my characters is heartwarming, to say the least. There’s really no worst part. I just love connecting to my readers and getting their points of view and thoughts on the story, plotlines, twists, everything. I mean, if I could be a fly on the wall of every readers that’s reading my books, I would love that! You guys are the best part! Thank you for this. Thank you for making me feel not so alone in this rather solo journey.

Amber Kestner: Thank you, Riverr for being apart of this interview. As well, for sharing your journey. Be sure to find her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Riverr-Ravenzwood/author/B089YW7YVG

Thank you for both for participating in Support An Author event!!!

Hello! Today with us we have Nicole Burns (reader) and Dan B. Fierce (author)! *Applause*

Nicole Burns: Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to become a writer?

Dan B. Fierce: My real name is Dan Bugbee, but I write under the pen name of Dan B. Fierce. I write mostly horror short stories, with a couple of longer works in progress. I have a husband of over twenty-one years (married for almost five), I live with family in the Kansas City, Missouri area, and I also have a full-time job working in printing. I have always enjoyed writing, especially short stories. Edgar Allan Poe, Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, and many others inspired me to fall in love with the brevity of the short story. I never pursued doing it “professionally” until I was forty-nine years old.

Nicole Burns: What drew you to the genre that you write in?

Dan B. Fierce: As I mentioned, it is writers like Poe and King who are the biggest influences in my love of horror and short stories. Growing up in the eighties, I enjoyed a ton of great slasher flicks and other types of horror movies and books. While I do have a longer work or two in progress, I really enjoy writing short stories. It’s easier to keep track of the details.

Nicole Burns: Do you have any rituals or routines that you follow when writing?

Dan B. Fierce: Other than getting a cup of coffee and checking my dismal sales numbers neurotically before I get started, I don’t have a specific routine that I follow. Sometimes, I enjoy listening to music while I write. Other times, it’s too distracting, and I prefer silence. I do get up very early in the morning, though. I get up by three or four in the morning, so that I can get my writing done before I have to get ready for work. By the time I get off of my job, I’m usually too tired to want to write.

Nicole Burns: What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

Dan B. Fierce: I hope readers enjoy my works first and foremost. Some of my tales have lessons to them, but I’m not going to pretend that I’m so structured that I do it intentionally. I’m what’s referred to as a “pantser.” I write my stories by the seat of my pants. I don’t plan them out. I just sit down with an idea and discover it as it unfolds on the page.

Nicole Burns: What advice would you give to authors who are considering self-publishing?

Dan B. Fierce: Self-publishing has many benefits and downfalls. The pros include far more creative control, ability to keep an eye on your sales numbers, and the author keeps a larger portion of the profits. The cons include the expenses of having to pay for things like an editor (or two), buying the cover art and any other types of art, formatting, and paying for ISBN numbers (if you’re not selling exclusively on Amazon). The author is also exclusively responsible for marketing and promotion of their works. That’s why so many indie authors are constantly posting on their timelines or any other opportunities to get eyes on their products.

Nicole Burns: How do you market and promote your books?

Dan B. Fierce: I mostly use social media to market my books, hoping that a new pair of eyes fall on my stuff and that they might be interested. Word-of-mouth is always the best advertisement from my readers. I also attend a lot of pop-up vendor events locally to try to get people interested in reading my stuff.

Nicole Burns: Do you have a favorite character or book that you’ve written? If so, why?

Dan B. Fierce: While I love all of my creations, including Roadkill King, my mini-collection of short stories, Father Figure is my favorite. Two of the stories that I wrote were very emotional for me. “The Letter” was based off of an actual letter that I wrote to my dad and read to him on his grave a few years back. “Bedside Regret” was inspired by the regret that I’ve been carrying for thirty-five years when I lied to my father on his death bed when he asked me if I were gay. I told him no because I thought that was want he’d have wanted to hear, instead of telling the truth. It haunted me ever since. It’s my favorite because all of the stories were inspired by something my father either said to me, or something that I know fathers would say or do, but I turned them on their ears in the process. I also love it because I dedicated it to my father and released it on his birthday in September of last year.

Nicole Burns: How do you stay motivated and overcome challenges while writing?

Dan B. Fierce: Staying motivated is a difficult question to answer. I’m not going to lie; sometimes it’s challenging to want to write. I suppose the simple answer is that I try not to force it, because that will show up in the product. If I’m not feeling particularly creative, I keep my writing skill fresh with writing prompts or journaling every day.

Nicole Burns: What do you enjoy most about being a writer?

Dan B. Fierce: I love creating world that my readers can immerse themselves into. Nothing gives me a bigger thrill than when someone reads my stuff and tells me how much they enjoyed it.

Nicole Burns: How do you decide on the titles for your books?

Dan B. Fierce: Most of the titles dawn on me either before or during the writing process. Many authors seem to struggle with giving their works titles.

Nicole Burns: How do you unwind and recharge when you’re not writing?

Dan B. Fierce: I like to watch television. (Probably more than I should.) I also enjoy traveling around and sightseeing, going on walks in nature, and spending time with my husband.

Nicole Burns: How do you handle writer burnout or creative blocks?

Dan B. Fierce: I wish I knew how to “properly” handle writer’s block and burnout. Since writing is still basically a hobby and not my sole means of making money, I don’t put that much pressure on getting things accomplished. Perhaps I should, but until writing pays the bills and I’m actually making money on it, it’s a labor of love for the craft that keeps me going. Some days are better than others, and being blocked does hurt, but for me, it’s not a “write or die” kind of feeling.

Nicole Burns: Can you discuss the role of symbolism and imagery in your writing?

Dan B. Fierce: If I’m honest, I don’t intentionally put much symbolism into my works intentionally. I simply write what comes to my mind. As for imagery, I love painting a picture with words. It’s easy to forget that we humans have other senses beyond just sight, even for me. When an author can submerge the reader in all of their senses, it becomes more than just words on a page, it becomes an experience.

Nicole Burns: What do you think is the biggest misconception about being a writer?

Dan B. Fierce: I think that the biggest misconception as a writer is that the money will just roll in when you get published. Even with traditionally published authors, which isn’t the case. It can take years for an author to see a profit on their books, especially if they are self-published, and by then the steam has run out of their books’ sales.

Nicole Burns: Do you have any pets? If so what are they and what are their names?

Dan B. Fierce: I am currently pet-less, but I did have two weenie dogs whose names were Frankie and Jonnie. They both gave me sixteen wonderful, happy, and comical years of memories before old age became too much for them and we had to do what was right for them. I want to have dogs again at some point (both my husband and I are allergic to cats), but I want to get rescue dogs next time.

Thank you for both for participating in Support An Author event!!!

Hello! Today with us we have Jet Boston (reader) and Renee Lake (author)! *Applause*

Jet Boston: What inspired you to become a writer?

Renee Lake: I don’t know. I have always written, even since I was small. Plays for my sisters, one pages stories about sentient donuts and fan fiction before I was even aware of what that was.

Jet Boston: Do you have any rituals or routines that you follow when writing?

Renee Lake: I have music play lists and I find a great notebook to start plotting with.

Jet Boston: Do you outline your stories before writing, or do you prefer to let the story unfold as you write?

Renee Lake: I start as a panster and just write, about five chapters in I begin to plot.

Jet Boston: Do you have a favorite character that you’ve written? If so, why?

Renee Lake: Persephone from The Infested. Because she’s strong, creepy and kind.

Jet Boston: What do you enjoy most about being a writer?

Renee Lake: I love creating characters, worlds and monsters. I love getting the things out of my head and onto the page.

Jet Boston: What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

Renee Lake: How much time and effort the author put into it, and something personal, something that they can hold to their chest and take away from my words. 

Jet Boston: What advice would you give to authors who are considering self-publishing?

Renee Lake: If you can afford it, hire an editor. I wish I’d been able to with my first books. Make sure you have beta readers and keep writing. Don’t stop and dont give up. Also- don’t read reviews.

Thank you for both for participating in Support An Author event!!!